Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Ethel Victoria Overholt was born in Hesston, Kansas, in 1916, to Esther and Herbert Overholt. Ethel was the first-born child in the family. The family lived on a ranch and her earliest memories of childhood include riding on a wagon. Ethel remembered being wrapped in a blanket, sitting on the wagon floor by her parents' feet, as it was being drawn by horses. When she was two-years-old, the family took the train to move to California, when her father was put in charge of an orange ranch in Whittier. Farming that ranch became their livelihood. Ethel was happy as each one of her siblings was born in the years to come: Alton, Glenn, Florence, Twila and Floyd. Life was not without challenges. When Twila was only two, she died unexpectedly of polio. At that time in history there were concerns about the spread of this illness and so the family was put under quarantine for two months on the ranch. It was difficult for everyone, but they leaned on each other for support, never forgetting Twila, the sister who Florence remembers being described as "their beautiful little angel." Ethel was the eldest child and throughout it all she was a caregiver to her younger siblings and in many ways was like a second mother to Floyd.

The family loved living on the ranch as Ethel called it our "own little Garden of Eden." In many ways, it was like the Walton's television story, as it was focused on family and a wholesome country environment. Ethel and Florence enjoyed sewing, cooking and drawing together. The kids played together and shared in the joys and responsibilities on the ranch. Even during the depression years Ethel remembers how fortunate they all felt with the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables. As a child, she sometimes sold avocados for $1 a bucket along with other fruits such as oranges on the highway off the ranch. It was a working ranch so there were many opportunities for a little extra income. In those days there were sometimes traveling salesmen who would drive down the long dirt road and sit under their walnut tree for a break. It was beautiful, cool and nice and the mom made them lemonade to drink in the hot summer, as they'd visit the ranch. Ethel always loved it when it rained because it meant that her father couldn't work on the ranch that day and the kids could climb into the old Model T and go for a drive into town. Over the years, whenever it rained, it took her fondly back to those special days spent with family. Ethel enjoyed simple pleasures that involved church and her family's love of music. In fact, almost all of siblings played musical instruments, as music was a big part of their lives. Ethel enjoyed sharing her talents, as she played piano since the age of five. Her incredible ability to change keys and create beautiful music helped other people at church with their own musical arrangements. The family played in church and for home recreation as well. As Ethel also loved big band music, Floyd remembers when Ethel played Tiger Rag on the upright piano as Alton played the clarinet and Chuck Litton played the saxophone. Listening to Tiger Rag, Ethel's prim and respectful mom was concerned that the Lord was going to come and show His wrath. It was a memory that the family chuckled about for many years. Ethel's music had the ability to energize others. When she played the songs she liked on piano, the kids would dance.

In school, Ethel was an "A" student, who was recognized for her intelligence. She graduated from Whittier High School and went on to attend Pasadena Nazarene College, where she majored in English. During college money was tight but she managed to meet her expenses and maintain her room and board by living in homes as a housekeeper. In fact, she once bought a pair of shoes for Florence with the money she earned. Florence was always so grateful for those shoes. It was in college when Ethel met a man who changed her life. His name was Bill Eckel. Bill was finishing up his Masters degree as he was studying to become a pastor. He was a wonderful man, who was well known in the community for speaking at various Nazarene churches. He also loved spending time with Ethel's family on the ranch. With her wonderful abilities in music, Ethel played the piano in church services. The couple's time spent together was often through church activities. Ethel was also talented in the arts and a perfect match for Bill. The couple dated for about a year when Bill was offered a position as pastor of a small church in northern California. He proposed to Ethel to be his wife. She was thrilled and agreed. The couple was married in June of 1940 at the First Church of the Nazarene in Los Angeles by Bill's father, Pastor William A. Eckel, who had served as a missionary in Japan. Ethel often said, "Here I am, a little old gal from the middle of the orange grove and he picked me to marry." She was so proud that he chose her and she was truly the envy of many young ladies. Ethel and Bill enjoyed a beautiful honeymoon in Big Bear California, a place that remained near and dear to their hearts for many decades.

As their journey began together, Ethel was happy to support Bill in his positions as pastor in several churches where he was called to serve. Bill was pastor of the church in northern California, followed by work as a church pastor in Nebraska. For supplemental income during World War II, the couple worked at a local defense plant in Nebraska. It was during this time of Rosie the Riveter when Ethel worked in the assembly line as she made the detonators. Bill worked in management in the personnel department at the same plant. After the war while in Nebraska, Bill learned how to fly airplanes from a lady instructor who flew military planes during the war. With Ethel's support, Bill earned his pilot's license. When Bill was asked to serve as pastor of a church in South Bend, Indiana, the couple answered the call. It was in Indiana where the couple welcomed their first son, Loren. The family soon moved to Toronto, Canada in 1953 when Bill was called to serve as the pastor of St. Claire Church of the Nazarene. The church services were also broadcast on the radio. Ethel played the piano for the Sunday radio programs, while Bill delivered the sermon. Ethel soon discovered she was pregnant a second time. The couple's second son, Dennis, was born at a Toronto hospital on a Sunday, while Bill was preaching at church. With the birth of Dennis, their family was complete. In 1957 the family moved to Lansing, Michigan, a place they called home for the next six years. There were memorable vacations across country by car, as the family visited Yellowstone Park and drove to California a few times. There was also a great vacation to Florida to visit with relatives. The boys still think of Lansing as home and have good memories of Lansing, as Ethel supported them in all of their endeavors. She also supported Bill's continuing joy of flying as he bought a four-seater Airplane. He enjoyed owning a plane that he could use to fly his youth church groups on short trips. Instead of driving to California to visit extended family, they started to fly by plane. One time, when the family was flying over Kansas, they hit unusually strong and persistent turbulence. The boys and Ethel laughingly remember this particular flight. One-by-one the boys, and then eventually Ethel, finally succumbed to what they would remember as the greenest flight in Eckel history. After each had actively demonstrated the consequences of too much motion, Ethel dutifully informed Bill that it is quite necessary to land, somewhere, anywhere. Bill took out the map and landed safely at the closest airport. When they landed, Ethel and the boys enjoyed solid ground and soothing soft drinks. No matter what, Ethel supported everyone in pursuing their dreams because her dreams had come true in becoming a wife and mother. She also served as a caretaker to her church congregation. Loving and giving, she embraced her role in both the family and community.

The family moved to Laguna Beach, California, in the mid nineteen sixties when Bill switched to serving Presbyterian churches. He served in Laguna Beach then later an interim church in Pasadena. In 1972 Bill served as pastor of his last church, St. Marks Church in Van Nuys, for seven years. Throughout all the travels and adventures in cities across this great land, Ethel was always a first rate mom. She surrounded her boys with love. In fact, the boys were thankful she was a stay-at-home mom who offered emotional comfort and unconditional love. Ethel was a wonderful homemaker who made cookies after school. She'd help with homework and she enjoyed taking care of her family. She liked sharing stories about her own childhood with her sons, as she valued a warm family atmosphere. At home, the family had a wholesome religious environment as Ethel or Bill said a blessing at mealtime. Every evening, the family ate dinner together, bonding them for life. On Sundays, Ethel made a roast on a low setting so when the family returned from morning church, the home smelled so good. Delicious wholesome food was always comforting in the Eckel household. For the boys, their lives centered mostly around church activities such as youth group and band. In school, Dennis participated in track and band, while Loren was on the swim team as well as band. Ethel and Bill also set an example for their sons, as they adored each other. Bill called her by little pet names and he cherished their life long partnership. They had a rare, loving relationship with each other. Bill also made sure Ethel had enjoyable time when her sister, Florence, would visit. As long as he had his tea, a snack, a book to read or his television to watch, he encouraged Ethel to enjoy her time with her family. Florence and Ethel stayed in touch over the years, by exchanging hand written letters.

After Bill retired from the church in Van Nuys, the couple relocated to Big Bear in 1980. Ethel and Bill loved their time in Big Bear, enjoying the environment, nature and people in the community. When Bill passed away in 1985, it was difficult. With her strong beliefs in God and heaven, she believed one day they would be reunited. She lived in Northridge on her own and then later moved into the same apartment complex near her sister, Florence. As her years were moving on, her son, Dennis, and his wife, Maria, bought a home with a guesthouse in West Hills California so Ethel could have her own space close by. For eleven years, Ethel enjoyed living in the guesthouse, where she could spend time with her grandchildren Marlena and Wayne. When they visited, she enjoyed giving her grandchildren a bowl of ice cream. The kids also remember when it rained, they sometimes took Grandma on special drives or for a simple treat at McDonalds for a hamburger. Ethel carried those special childhood memories of drives in the rain with her throughout her life and shared them with the next generation. Those little moments with Grandma meant so much. For Ethel's final two years, her son, Loren, moved her in the summer of 2006 into a nice care facility in Big Bear near where he lived. He'd take her on special drives around the lake so she could see the beautiful view while listening to big band music in the car.

Over the course of her life, Ethel had many favorites in life. Among her favorite songs was "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." Her favorite hobbies were playing music, singing songs and writing skits for church. Supportively involved in many church groups, she sang in the church quartets and played the piano for Sunday church services. She also was willing to perform at other churches on Sunday nights, where they attended as a family. At home, she enjoyed big band music of the 40's, plus Lawrence Welk and the Boston Pops. She was also particularly fond of the hymns from the well-known Gaither Vocal group. Her favorite musical was The Music Man. For her family, she liked making home-cooked meals, especially rice curry, an Indian dish, or Sukiyaki, a popular Japanese dish. A long time treat was a stick of Juicy Fruit Gum. Ethel loved Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Her favorite color was bright red. For Christmas, she decorated the home and had a fresh green tree for the holiday. She'd light candles and the family celebrated the holiday in a warm traditional style. There weren't elaborate Christmas gifts, just a few toys for the kids. She had a very balanced life between family and church as her favorite sayings were "Actions speak louder than words," and "We'll know by and by."

At the age of 92, Ethel Eckel lived through generations of change in medicine, technology and the world. She will be remembered as a woman who happily cared for her family and church community. A wonderful listener, who willingly gave good advice, her attitude was that the best things in life are free. Ethel's personal choice was cremation and it was her wish to have her ashes sprinkled among the hills and trees in Big Bear. As Bill's ashes were also sprinkled in the forest, the family will honor her wishes to return to nature. While her family will miss her supportive words of wisdom and her presence, they believe Ethel and Bill are now reunited. May they both rest in peace…

Ethel was preceded in death by her husband Bill; parents Esther and Herbert; sister Twila; brother Alton; and brother Glenn. She is remembered by her son Loren; son Dennis and his wife Maria; grandchildren Marlena and Wayne; sister Florence; brother Floyd and his wife Margot; extended family and friends. She will be dearly missed.